Way to Go Chris!

Most of you know my brother Chris. What some of you don't know though is that this year he has accomplished some great things regarding his health. He made a commitment to becoming more healthy and has stuck with it. First he won a "Biggest Loser" contest at work where he lost 40lbs and has continued to lose since.

Although, I'm proud of him for that I'm even more proud him for his accomplishment in running. In late 2007 Chris told me he wanted to run the Country Music 1/2 Marathon. Given I had already ran the Full Marathon I was game to go along and do the 1/2 with him in 2008. Although he finished, he struggled in that race with a time of 2:48:35. (Sorry Chris I know you want to forget but I have to make a point.) He spent the next few days on crutches because he had some intense foot pain which may have been plantar faciitis (I'm not sure). He told me then he was sticking to 5ks and less. Chris doesn't exaggerate too much so I was pretty sure I would never get him into another 1/2 marathon.

To my surprise and delight he told me back in the spring that he was going to try it again and run the Chicago 1/2 marathon. Fittingly, he started his new journey at the health fair for the 2008 Country Music race. On August 2nd, Chris ran in the inaugural Rock n Roll Chicago 1/2 marathon and finished in 2:07:35 erasing over 40 minutes off his time from just over a year ago in Nashville. You don't have to be a runner to understand how remarkable that is. Further, he sent me a text asking me to run in a 1/2 marathon with him in Clarksville in November. Of course I said yes. Great work Chris and keep up the training. I know you are going to break 2 hours in the next one.

On a side note my cousin Shannon is going to run with us in November. A true family affair. Chris says she is obsessed as much or more than him. Wish us all luck. I can't wait.